Backbenchers criticise Beazley over visa comments

Labor Backbenchers have criticised Opposition leader Kim Beazley over his suggestion foreign visitors should sign an Australian Values contract.

Transcript

TONY JONES: To domestic politics now, and some Labor backbenchers have reacted angrily to Kim Beazley's call for all foreign visitors to be forced to sign up to Australian values. At a partyroom meeting today, the Opposition Leader was told that the policy runs the risk of adding to a divisive race debate. He should have consulted colleagues first. Craig McMurtrie reports.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: It happens in every citizenship ceremony.

JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: Whose democratic beliefs I share.

(All reply) Whose democratic beliefs I share.

SENATOR AMANDA VANSTONE: Whose rights and liberties I respect.

(All reply) Whose rights and liberties I respect.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: But Kim Beazley and his immigration spokesman want the pledge on values extended to visa applications.

TONY BURKE, OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN: On the signature section on a visa application, it'd say "I agree to abide by Australian law and respect Australian values while I'm there."

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: The Opposition Leader nominates values like democracy, tolerance, respect for women and the nation's institutions. Even if foreign visitors don't know the language.

KIM BEAZLEY, OPPOSITION LEADER: You don't need an English test if you sign up to decent Aussie values.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Some on the government side like it. A lot.

THOMSON: I think we should be encouraging that, like in the classroom.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Others don't.

DE-ANNE KELLY, NATIONALS MP: Once again, I think the Labor Party's gone off at a tangent. I don't think that's in keeping with what the Prime Minister has been trying to achieve.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: But John Howard's interested.

JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: I think a full bodied commitment to Australian values is something that I have always supported. And very, very strongly support.

CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Though he is worried about unintended consequences for tourism. Kim Beazley acknowledges that a revamped visa application form isn't likely to deter a terrorist. But that didn't save him from a roasting in the party room today. No less than nine backbenchers took him to task, including long-time Beazley backer Robert Ray, who demanded to know where the policy had come from and whether it'd be dumped this week or next. Other Labor backbenchers warned about the idea being misinterpreted by the Muslim community, feeding into an already divisive debate promoted by the Prime Minister. But despite calls for it to be ditched, Kim Beazley's office says the policy stands. Craig McMurtrie, Lateline.